A/N: So it's been almost a year since I last updated this. Really sorry! I've had lots of ideas cross my mind, and I've got a few written down (unfortunately, I'm not sure where I put those notes...). However, I am determined to have this story finished before or by my birthday, May 14. I'm not sure when I'll update again, but I'm looking at hopefully within the next 3-4 days. Now, I'll quit boring you and let you get to the story. Enjoy!

Walking out of the boat, Balto yawned. He stretched his sleepy muscles, doing his best to awaken them. He had slept strangely; at least, that's what he kept telling himself. He felt fully rested, refreshed, and yet he had the strangest feeling that, for better or worse, something was going to happen today.

Looking up at the sky, Balto closed his eyes as he felt a nice cool breeze. It's just my imagination, he finally told himself. He looked over his shoulder to see Jenna still sleeping. He couldn't help but smile. What a wonderful sight.

Slowly, he walked down the ramp, making sure not to step on any planks that would squeak and wake Jenna. He reached the sand, stretched again, and then walked over to the freshwater lake and got a drink. As he was finishing up, a flag over in the town caught his attention.

"They're already back?" he asked himself.

About that time, Boris flew in. "Balto!" he exclaimed. "Hey, Balto!"

As he got closer, Balto shushed him. "Jenna's still asleep, Boris. What is it?"

"Ah, sorry!" he apologized. "I've got big news; straight from Stella!"

"Does it have anything to do with Kodi being back so soon?"

Boris raised an eyebrow. "What?" He turned to see the postal service flag waving. "He wasn't supposed to be in till late this evening?"

"That's what I thought," Balto confirmed. "We should go check it out."

Forgetting what he wanted to tell Balto, Boris walked along side his adopted son. "This is very bizarre. Very bizarre indeed…"

Nearing the center of town where the mail sled dogs were, Balto could hear bits and pieces of the humans talking; something about the weather being strangely calm. The more he thought about it, he began to realize they were right: talk all around town was nothing but weather earlier this week. It was supposed to have been very stormy and much colder than usual. But, it wasn't.

"Dad!" Kodi cried happily, breaking Balto's concentration.

"Kodi, how are you?" Balto asked.

"I'm great!" he answered. "The run this time wasn't anything like last time: much easier. The weather was definitely not what they said it would be."

"That's what all the humans are talking about: there weren't any storms. Normally, the humans are never wrong about predicting storms," Balto pointed out.

Kodi just shrugged. "Everyone makes mistakes. I'm just glad to be on time!"

Deciding that Kodi was right and it was just a mistake on the human's prediction, Balto brushed it off. "Since you're home early, we'll all gather together after lunch. I'll inform your brothers and sisters. It'll make your mother happy you're home early."

Kodi nodded. "Have you…heard from Aleu?"

Balto shook his head. Both he and Jenna had told their children that Aleu found the right family she belonged to, and moved away. They never told them it was a wolf pack.

"I see…" He mumbled. "Tell mom I look forward to seeing her."

"Will do," Balto promised.

After they said their goodbyes, Balto headed back to the boat. With his mind lost in thought, he began to wonder if he and Jenna should tell their other children of their wolf heritage.

"Balto!" He looked up to see Boris running towards him. "There you are!"

Balto stood there, dumbfounded. I had no idea we got separated. "Boris, where did you go?"

"Some human dropped something on my head, knocked me out," Boris explained. "Just woke up a moment ago. But, that doesn't matter! Have you heard with the humans are saying?"

"About the storm that never came through?"

"Exactly! Do you think it is just a coincidence?" Boris asked. Balto shrugged. "Well, I think not! Something's going to happen, I just know it. I can feel it in my feathers…"

Balto looked towards the boat. "Let's just hope it's something good."